Marine fish ranges are expanding and shifting deeper across the European continental shelf.

Abstract

Understanding how climate change and exploitation affect marine species distribution is key for biodiversity conservation. While warming is typically expected to drive species poleward and into deeper waters, unexpected patterns such as equatorward shifts and shallowing also occur. Fishing pressure may further contract species' ranges. Yet, the mechanisms underpinning these 3-dimensional range shifts remain largely unresolved. Using 92,961 bottom trawl samples across the European continental shelf, covering 607 fish species over four decades, we show that deepening is predominant, with 60% of populations experiencing an increase in their average depth. Contrary to expectations, latitudinal shifts are balanced, with 49% of populations shifting poleward and 51% equatorward. Here, we quantify how population relocations are driven by the interplay between environmental factors and species traits as species track their optimal ecological niches. We also highlight that the recent reduction in fishing pressure has likely facilitated spatial expansions and increases in populations abundance.